Helck (2023) s01e16 Episode Script

1
[narrator] Helck travels
to the Demon Lord's castle
and meets Azudra, who speaks
of the demonkin's desire
for peace with humanity.
Helck tries to convey
this to his fellow humans,
but the people show nothing
but hatred
and disdain and lash out.
The kingdom reveals
a new weapon:
awakened soldiers to
wage war on the demonkin.
[Zeruzeon] Helck, please,
I really need your help.
[opening theme]
[THE TRUTH BEHIND AWAKENING]
[dramatic fanfare]
[HEAVY INFANTRY COMMANDER,
ZERUZEON]
[Helck] You want my help?
Unless we take action soon,
the kingdom will turn
into something repugnant.
Hold on. You're gonna
need to explain more.
It's this awakening power.
Trust me, it's going
to destroy the country.
You've seen the new
warriors before, right?
- Yeah.
- Most were dangerous criminals
who committed serious crimes.
They had been locked
in prison for ages,
their bodies frail and
sick, basically invalids,
but after going through
the awakening process,
they could suddenly fight with
a frightening amount of power.
It's just not possible
to become that strong,
that fast without any risk.
The spell they use does more
than just grant epic strength.
It's a spell?
[Zeruzeon] The awakening process
destroys the mind.
You lose all sense of self,
turning you into a puppet
that only knows
to obey the spellcaster.
Those warriors
are no longer human.
They're empty vessels
commanded to kill,
and the kingdom's upper
echelon intends to cast
that spell on every citizen
who's not nobility.
Wait a second!
What will become of the kingdom?
I don't know, but they
could rebuild the kingdom
that exists solely
for the nobility.
They have designs they plan to
put in motion on a huge scale.
[Helck gasps]
[eerie string music]
I don't know exactly
how it will work,
but their goal is to awaken
everyone at the same time,
and I am supposed to play a
role in making that happen.
Huh, what the?
[Zeruzeon] Don't get me wrong.
I'm firmly against
the whole thing,
and there are a number of
others who feel the same.
Well, what about
Mikaros and Lord Rafaed?
Do you know if both of them
are on board with this?
Actually, the Great Sage Mikaros
devised the entire thing.
Everyone, from the
king, to Lord Rafaed,
to the members of the Senate.
The plan has progressed
with the unanimous agreement
of the king's elite.
Do not trust anyone
in the nobility,
especially Mikaros
and Lord Rafaed.
I've been watching
them a long time.
They have given off an
ominous aura more than once.
We have to put a stop to
their plan no matter what.
Otherwise, all the commoners,
even your mercenary friends,
are going to end up as
brainless automaton warriors.
How exactly do you intend
to keep such a thing
from happening?
The chance of us beating
those warriors is pretty slim,
even if we amassed an army.
We won't need many people.
We only need to throw
a wrench in the works.
The spell used to trigger
the awakening is the crux
of everything, but can't
be used by just anyone.
It requires a spellcaster
and another individual
to act as the key.
The key?
A person with a special
ability that invokes the spell,
which means the plan won't
work with those two taken out.
So who is the
spellcaster anyway?
The king.
[Edil gasps]
What?
[Zeruzeon] Only a handful of
people know his whereabouts,
and it's unrealistic to go after
someone so heavily guarded.
So our target must be the
one who acts as the key,
Cless the Hero.
We'll take him from the
clutches of the kingdom
and put an end
to their bullshit plan.
The key is Cless?
And just so you know,
Cless has not endorsed them
in any way.
In truth, he still hasn't
regained consciousness.
They're just using him to
put their plan in motion.
So ultimately, we would
also be saving him.
So that's why
you came to me.
That wasn't the only reason.
They've put Cless under heavy
guard because he's essential.
So if we're going to rescue him,
then we will need someone with
outstanding skills and strength.
[chuckles] I've heard the
stories, how you stood up
to a monster after it
wiped out a battalion
of a hundred soldiers.
You defeated it yourself.
Actually,
it was 500 soldiers.
[Zeruzeon] Or how you managed
to vanquish over 50 monsters
- in less than an hour.
- More like 200.
[Zeruzeon] Or how
you made it all the way
to the Demon Lord's
castle without any help.
He marched right in
and came back unharmed.
[Zeruzeon] What the
hell's with you anyway?
Hey, fathead, watch your mouth!
- [Zeruzeon sighs]
- Hm?
[Zeruzeon]
And besides, I was told you
were the most reliable person
to go to if things got bad.
I was told that by your brother.
He and I joined the
army at the same time.
We spent years fighting
our way through a number
of deadly battles together.
[Cless] It's fine.
As long as my brother is around,
it doesn't matter how many
monsters invade the kingdom.
He'll find a way
to take care of them.
It's only thanks to him that
I can even go on this quest
to defeat the Demon Lord.
So if anything happens to me,
you should go to
my brother for help.
He's far stronger than I am
and the most reliable
person you'll find.
[Helck gasps]
My brother.
[Zeruzeon] I beg of you,
I didn't spend such time
and effort serving the kingdom
for it to turn to shit.
I want to protect the people
and the peace of this land,
and above all else,
I want to save my friend!
We have to rescue Cless.
[Helck] He is blessed
to have a friend like you.
[Zeruzeon gasps]
I would be more
than happy to help.
Thank you. I owe you.
[Alicia] You can
count me in too.
I was listening to
the whole thing.
I would rather die than
become a noble's puppet.
Alicia, participating in this
could be considered treason
against the crown.
I should take care
of it by myself.
Pay attention, Helck.
He clearly needs us
to help out too.
That's why he filled in
Edil as well.
Figured you and your people
would be better than most
of the scumbags out there.
[Alicia] You don't
have to put it like that.
[Edil] I'm totally on board.
Count me in.
No way in hell they're
getting away with this.
I have a duty to keep the
innocent people here safe.
- But so-
- Nope, you do not get a say
in this, I'm afraid.
Jumping in all by yourself
is always your solution.
It's okay for you to rely
on your friends, Helck.
So with that, we're all going
to stop these assholes together.
- Thank you.
- Now let's hear the details
of what you're planning.
Oh, and be sure to keep
your voice down.
I could hear you all
the way down the hall.
[Zeruzeon]
What, are you serious?!
[Edil] Yeah,
your voice kind of carries.
[crowd yelling]
[Helck] We made our move.
[citizen] Get your
ass out here, damn it!
- [guard] What's going on?
- [guard 2] The townspeople
are out of control!
They're rioting!
What the hell
are they so mad about?
Enough of the damn chatter!
Get out there and do your job!
[guards] Right!
[Helck] The riot
was part of Zeruzeon's plan.
It helped reduce the number of
guards stationed in the castle.
Okay, it's clear.
[tense music]
[Zeruzeon] Go, go, go!
[Edil] Keep your voice down!
[Alicia] I don't like
how smoothly this is going.
[Zeruzeon]
The real trouble starts here.
[tense music]
[group gasps]
They haven't seen us!
Let's hit them first!
Damn, they spotted us!
[Alicia] Because you're
so stupid loud!
Okay, guys,
we can overpower just one!
[Alicia] What about
a whole bunch of 'em?
Whatever, just stay cool!
- Too late for that.
- Too late for that.
[Helck] Bring it on.
[dramatic orchestra music]
Here they come!
[Helck grunts]
We've got this.
Fight like usual.
[Edil] Right.
- Huh?
- Huh?
[swords slice]
[Zeruzeon yells]
[Helck grunts]
- [Edil] We did it.
- [Helck] Yeah.
Good, let's keep
pressing onward!
[receding footsteps]
[group grunts]
[Zeruzeon] We've almost made
it to where they've got Cless.
[Alicia] If we do make it
through, we're gonna have to
come up with a way to handle
the monsters and demons.
[Edil] Yeah.
- Huh?
- Huh?
[Helck] There's a good
chance we won't have
to fight the demonkin.
[Alicia] Huh?
When I was gone, I met
with one of their leaders
at the Demon Lord's castle
[both gasp]
and he told me
something surprising.
The monster's attacking the
kingdom were not sent by
or controlled by the demons.
They actually have
nothing to do with it,
and more importantly, he told
me they want peace with us.
[gentle music]
Hm? Uh
That's very admirable of
you, Sir Helck, but please,
you cannot simply take
the demons at their word.
The demonkin are shrewd
and deceitful.
There are stacks of records
that show the human race
has almost been wiped out
due to their treachery.
That demon just
noticed your strength
and lied to get away.
All the demons I've come across
were bloodthirsty bastards
impossible to reason with.
Oh, really?
[Alicia] You're a
good guy, Helck.
You show kindness to
everyone without exception,
but you have to realize
there are many in this world
who are beyond help.
And their kind are creatures
we need to be wary of.
The demonkin have treated
us like an enemy
throughout all of human history,
But sure, it would be amazing
if it turned out to be true.
- Huh?
- Huh?
There's nothing better
than finding a way
to resolve things peacefully.
So here's the deal, Helck,
when we're done here,
let's go find out for sure.
Thank you, Alicia.
Sounds like a terrible idea.
Whatever, Edil, you
can just stay behind.
No, I'll go with you.
Oh, not unless I'd be getting
in the way of your alone time.
What?!
I never said it would
be just the two of us!
Zeru was with us too, you know?!
Keep it down!
You're being too loud!
[group sighs]
[footsteps]
[Zeruzeon] Cless is up that way.
[door opens]
Something's not right.
It's too quiet.
[Edil] Definitely feels
like someone is here.
[Alicia] Stay on your toes.
I've got a bad
feeling about this.
[Helck grunts]
[dramatic music]
[energy humming]
[group gasps]
[Helck gasps]
[Helck] Cless!
No, wait!
- [footsteps]
- Hm?
[sword clanks]
[Mikaros] And just
what pray tell
do you think you are
doing here, Zeru?
[eerie string music]
[Zeruzeon gasps]
[Zeruzeon] Mikaros, I
Ah, there's no need to explain.
I noticed from the very
beginning that your response
to my plan wasn't
exactly favorable.
I must say, I'm not a fan of
that part of your personality.
I thought you were
a more sensible man,
but you are just
another disgrace.
Lord Mikaros, you can't
go through with this!
They're our people!
There is no way
what you're planning
will ever lead to peace!
You are a floundering fool.
[group gasps]
[noble 1] I cannot
believe you, as a noble,
would be opposed to the plan.
But, senator
Even someone with
your pea brain
should be able to comprehend
just how reasonable
and beneficial this will be.
The people will not
perish from this.
We are awakening
their spirit,
upgrading their bodies
to be more useful
and efficient workers,
for all of us.
[noble 1]
Productivity will be soaring.
Plus, every member of the
kingdom will be powerful enough
to fight against the monsters.
[noble 2] Not to mention they
will be completely obedient
and unable to defy us.
[Alicia] Eat shit.
None of us were born
into this world
to become your
brainwashed slaves!
[noble 3] It is
cause for celebration.
Their lives are blessed
with purpose by serving us.
Surely you have all
seen the simple rabble.
The stupidity of the lower
class knows no bounds.
They take zero action
of their own,
only screaming and complaining
about the peace gifted to them.
[noble 3] Becoming our livestock
is what they deserve.
- Son of a bitch!
- [Alicia] Enough talk.
Let's finish what we came for.
[energy humming]
[group gasps]
[Zeruzeon] It's the king!
[Alicia] So here you are.
[King] Kneel before me.
[group groans]
[magic rumbles]
[Edil] What the hell
is going on?
[Alicia] These words have
so much weight it feels
like I'm being physically
pushed to the ground.
[king] This plan was
enacted by the collective will
of the kingdom.
Those who raise objection
to it, for whatever reason,
shall be regarded as criminals.
I hereby order you
take your own lives.
[group groaning]
[shouting]
[Alicia] Something's
in control of me!
[Helck] What did you say?
Take our own lives?
Go fuck yourself.
He has the power to
defy the king's order.
Well, well, how curious.
[Helck] Hey, guys, are you okay?
[Alicia] Yeah, thanks to you.
Sorry, Helck.
Oh, the effects of the king's
divine tongue were broken?
The only way that could
happen is for these people
to regard that man as
higher than the king.
[Helck] I'll be taking
my brother now.
Mikaros, summon the soldiers!
I'm afraid that's pointless.
Awakened soldiers aren't going
to be near enough to defeat him.
He wields far too much power.
Then how are you going
to handle this?
Fear not, Senator.
We already have the perfect
opponent right here with us.
[king] Cless the Hero!
I hereby order you
kill all the traitors.
[dramatic orchestra music]
[Helck gasps]
Wait, that's not-
Something is happening to him
besides just being
controlled by the king.
[Edil] What is that
darkness surrounding him?
[Helck] Cless, stop it!
What are you doing?
Look, it's me, Cless,
your brother!
Don't you recognize me?
[Mikaros] You cannot reach him.
Cless has been stripped
of all agency
and is being controlled
by a superior power.
Your voice falls deaf
on his ears.
Master Mikaros,
what happened?
Why are you doing this?
I'm sure you've already heard
the glorious details of my plan.
I had been searching for an
extremely long time for the one
who could act as the key.
That is until the cold,
snowy night we first met.
As Cless lie there
on the verge of death,
I discovered a special power
buried deep within him.
It was exactly what
I'd been searching for,
the ability to draw upon
power from another place.
It is a special ability that
only Cless the Hero can access.
- [Helck grunts]
- Meeting your brother
was an unbelievable
stroke of fate.
I might not have come across
him in a thousand years.
That's just how exceedingly
rare his ability is.
But I wasn't able to
start my plan right away.
He was so young, so undeveloped,
and it was necessary to
improve his physical prowess
to the point where he
could survive my spell.
He wasn't ready.
Fortunately, the sudden outbreak
of monsters made that part easy.
I pushed him so hard on a number
of occasions he
almost didn't make it,
but he did reach
the level I needed,
and now I shall have
Cless continue our work
to turn my dream into a reality.
Mikaros!
[Edil] Let's go help him.
We would only be
getting in the way.
I miscalculated.
I never thought we
would end up having
to fight against Cless.
[Cless strikes Helck]
Okay, that's enough!
We need to retreat!
[blood dripping]
Please, Brother.
It's me, Helck!
Come back to me, buddy.
Ah, it's impressive you're able
to put up this much of a fight.
I imagine that you could even
kill Cless if you wanted to.
[chuckles] That is one way you
could stop all this, you know?
But that's not going to happen.
You couldn't bear take the life
of your own little brother.
[laughs] An impossible choice.
There is simply no way for you
to overcome this situation.
I'm so sorry.
[Helck gasps]
Awfully clever
to catch him off guard,
but it does not matter.
Such poultry attacks have
absolutely no effect on him.
[Cless yells]
What's this?
That's should hardly
have scratched him.
No, that's not possible.
Brother!
She really hurt him.
How did she manage that?
[Alicia] Well, I've never
actually fought a Hero before.
I just went in
to try and help, Helck.
This blade truly
is imbued with a power
that lives up to its name.
Did I hit him too hard?
I hope he's okay.
That blade, I don't believe it.
That's the Hero Slayer!
[Alicia]
Huh? I didn't know anyone
outside my family
knew about it.
Who are you?
You're a fool.
"The Hero Slayer"?
[Edil] Look, that sword, it
seems to have stopped Cless.
Has the key been defeated?
Where did that
sword come from?
Come on, guys! Grab Cless and
let's get the hell outta here!
Call the soldiers
and kill them all!
Helck, is he okay?
I'm sorry.
I didn't want to hurt him.
His consciousness is
fading in and out,
but I think he'll be
fine thanks to you.
Whatever you did saved him.
Come on, Helck.
Let's go.
Attack them!
[Alicia] Helck, you go on ahead.
Take Cless and run for it!
[Edil] We'll hold them off.
Thank you!
[Mikaros] Never knew
you would be carrying
such a ghastly weapon.
My mistake.
[Alicia gasps]
[chuckles]
I cannot even remember
the last time
I felt genuine fear.
However, that blade
cuts both ways.
You made a big mistake
revealing it to me.
Stop it!
[Alicia yells]
[Mikaros] You have already seen
Helck's overwhelming power.
Do you seriously think
he's just another human?
I'm going to borrow
this for now.
[Helck gasps]
[magic thrums]
You have lost.
- This is what happens
- [Helck yells]
when you underestimate
my power.
[chuckles]
[Helck yells]
[ending theme]
[narrator]
Next time: "Traitors"